A Noble Calling

​In the Army Reserves, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find officers willing to serve as company and battalion commanders. One would think that the opportunity to command would be the sort of challenge many would relish.  But the opposite is true.  Fewer officers want the risk associated with leading because if they do not do well their careers are in jeopardy.  Also, the burden of command requires more work and sacrifice—neither of which is an attractive proposition for those with busy jobs or a comfortable rhythm of life. 

​Meditation
1 Timothy 3:1—This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.”
 
Paul encouraged Timothy to raise up more leaders (2 Ti. 2:2).  That past need is still a present reality.  Too many churches are pastor-centric and pastor-dependent and consequently in trouble.  Just as the Army needs competent leaders, so also, God’s family requires a team of gifted leaders to care for fellow Christians.  Their job description is spelled out in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.  But don’t misunderstand those qualifications. Paul did not say that a person had to be perfect to be a leader—that would have disqualified everyone!  Show me a parent with no struggles and I will show you a parent with no children.  There is not an elder alive who does not make a mistake.  
 
Do you want to be rewarded by God for a splendid exertion?  If you have leadership abilities and the aspiration to serve—step up!  Don’t let the challenge of exhorting fellow believers to grow spiritually, the necessity of serving and the demand of living a respectable life scare you.  Don’t let the need to please yourself rob you from the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people.  Don’t let the unholy roar of competing voices dissuade you.  Don’t run if the faithful Father has called you.   Don’t be intimidated by the office.  God will give you the strength, the grace and the wisdom to do what He asks of you.  And if you have no leading to lead but you love the Savior, encourage those you know who should be leading.  Give them your support.  Your gentle nudge may be the very thing God uses to bring forward a hesitant spectator. 
 
A noble work with needy people in a nefarious world—seems like a nice recipe for glory!  
 
Inspiration
A Christian leader is a humble, God-dependent, team-playing servant of God who is called by God to shepherd, develop, equip, and empower a specific group of believers to accomplish an agreed-upon vision from God.—Dave Kraft in Leaders Who Last
 
©2018 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the "Click here to receive weekly devotionals" box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)